Big Cypress National Preserve

Category:	Nature Preserve
Address:	33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL 34141
Phone:	+1 239-695-2000
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–4:30PM 9AM–4:30PM 9AM–4:30PM 9AM–4:30PM 9AM–4:30PM 9AM–4:30PM 9AM–4:30PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 103

Steve Markos

I am a photographer and writer for National Park Planner and I visited Big Cypress National Preserve in February 2015. Big Cypress is the somewhat overlooked counterpart to its southern neighbor, Everglades National Park. You will find countless Everglades-related web sites and reviews that blatantly refer to locations in Big Cypress as part of the Everglades. While the two parks are distinct entities and even have a major ecological difference, in the minds of most people the entire area is the Everglades and tourists visiting locations in one park will certainly be visiting the other without making any mental distinctions between the two. This is understandable, especially considering that much of Big Cypress was originally marked for inclusion in the Everglades National Park, but the landowners protested and it remained in private hands. However, in the 1960s Miami started building an international airport on the eastern side of today’s park and the residents soon realized that it wouldn’t be long before the metropolis of Miami connected all the way across the state with Tampa. This sent them crawling back to the federal government begging for protection and in 1974 Big Cypress National Preserve was established. A long runway is all that was ever constructed of the proposed airport. The fundamental difference between Big Cypress and the Everglades is that Big Cypress is mainly a cypress swamp while the Everglades is a prairie that is submerged by a slow moving and very shallow sheet of water created by the yearly overflow of Lake Okeechobee. The water in the Big Cypress swamp is rainwater. Different elevations within Big Cypress result in different habitats. The lowest areas are the Cypress swamps and prairies that are underwater during the wet season (May-September). At the higher elevations, often only a few feet higher than the swamps, are pine and hardwood forests. To the south nearest the Everglades are estuaries. Big Cypress has the co-distinction of being the nation’s first “Preserve,” having been authorized by Congress on the same day as Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas. A Preserve is a unique park designation in that while development of the area was stifled, traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, backcountry camping, and travel through the swamps on Swamp Buggies and ATVs is allowed. Even oil and gas exploration and extraction on the land continues today. Furthermore, those who owned property within the park boundary were allowed to keep it, which is why you may stumble upon “No Trespassing” signs while wandering through what appears to be the middle of nowhere. While the majority of Big Cypress National Preserve is accessible only to those rugged enough to tackle remote hiking and off-road vehicle driving, there is still plenty to do for the tourists passing through the area. Most activities are found along Highway 41 (aka Tamiami Trail), which crosses the southern section of the park from east to west. The highway was built in the 1920s to connect Miami with Tampa, thus the cute name. There are numerous developed campgrounds and picnic areas along the road. The National Park Service offers guided tours, talks, and walks throughout the tourist season from November through April. These include swamp walks, canoe trips, and hikes into the backcounty, all of which are free. Approved concessionaires also offer guided, outdoor activities. In addition, there are plenty of places to see wildlife such as alligators and exotic birds, often without having to stray far from your vehicle. For complete information on visiting Big Cypress and nearly 200 quality photos, visit National Park Planner (npplan).

joe vulhop

It was fun while it lasted. My wife and I picked the wrong time to go. We so happened to pick a time when severe storms came through and had to leave early. All that said we had a great time at the Midway campsite. The days were great and the nights were even better minus some rain. Also have to hand it to the Rangers there are beyond awesome. They kept coming by to check on us and then to let us know it was closing. If you get a chance to go this is some of the best tent camping there. Also make sure to stop by the skunk ape hq not to far from the Midway and other site along there. Wife had a blast playing with the animals.

Andris Hew

The Big Cypress National Preserve is worth a visit. but not linger too long on the dirt road through the park, because it has holes and hardly provides viewpoints. You see there especially trees. Better go directly into the Ernest Coe Visitor Center.

alex flori

Beautiful place any dish where you can rent bikes and see a typical Florida wildlife. Some bikes braking child coaster !!

Ray Morin

Big Cypress and the Everglades are not to be missed on any trip to SW Florida. National Park Rangers lead a number of talks, walks, and canoe trips all through season. We had done the Turner River canoe trip several times and it vastly exceeded our expectations. Look on line for a schedule.

Robert Cook

This is the "REAL" Florida and anyone that vacation in the Ft. Myers to Miami area needs to take ride over to experience the Everglades. There is nothing like it in the world. Take an airboat ride through the mangroves and it will be a lifetime experience you will never forget.

KS Nair

I was told by a ranger there that this is the first national preserve in the National Park System. There is also free ranger led programs. Preserve is filled with variety of tropical plants and wildlife. Nice Boardwalk to safely enjoy alligator watching or a breeze stroll.

Don Browne

My favorite places are off the beaten track, especially the trails off of State Road 29 in Collier county. Miles and miles of trails to hike and explore. Keep an eye out for alligators, and the rare Florida panther.

Barry Martin

Hey most beautiful part. You would never think that the sights here exist in Florida. I am always so amazed at how beautiful this Natural Area is and located so close to my home in Hollywood.

Kate Maeda

The food was overpriced and only ok. $6 for a side of mediocre fried onions, New England clam chowder had a nice texture but was fairly bland, decidedly lacking in clams.

Info Loan

Nature at its finest no matter how you look at it, from the car, from the kayak , by bike or on foot. Fauna and Flora are spectacular and must be cherished and preserved

Tatiana Arteaga

Very nice place, but the restrooms were very dirty

Shlomi Malki

Stunningly preserved Its very similar to the Everglades are linked

Alberto Cantor

Amazing place to camp, hike and relax right outside of Miami. Tons of fauna and things to see. Be respectful of animals and the environment.

[email protected] Gloria

I love the freshness of nature breathe fresh air

Hunter Poff

It a little off the trail make Sher to bring lots of bug spray. Will I was their I saw copperheads deer crocedials turtles and lots of birds

Phil Verhoeven

Very nice park for reptiles prospects

Jennifer Bradley

Wonderful Everglades tour. Our Captain Jimmy, was full of knowledge and made to boat tour more enjoyable. Thank you!!

Timothy Miller

visit the US smallest post office!! Nice ride from Naples to Miami.. air boat rides/alligator sights available

Noah Bender

The Lood Rd in Big Cypress is a must do. The alligators cross the road and swim in the lagoons in the dozens.

N B A

Was broke down for days had no phone service, my thumb out and 1331 cars went by and no help. I hated it.

Liss Diz

Amazing nature place. The best place to learn about the Floridian wildlife and environmental resources.

Scott Xavier

This is truly amazing! A nature preserve filled with exotic everglade fish birds and alligators!

Lisa Kaelin

I always enjoy walking around seeing the alligators and fish and birds. Very nice place.

Matthew Green

Amazing and beautiful place to go camping with the family. Great scenery and wildlife.

evelyn sun

Mosquitos were savage, you will have an army around you even with the bug repellent.

Albert Lopez 787-614-6557

Not we beautiful place

John Kucharnik

Too hot at this time of year. Best time to go would be from December thru March.

Paola Celpa

Lovely surroundings. Peaceful. Happy we are able to preserve nature in Florida.

Ted Sharpe

Everglades were awesome. Oasis park has up close aligator exhibit. Must see.

Roli Manresa

Beautiful parks with lots of trails and tons of wildlife. Bring bug spray!

Polgar Tree Service & Removal

I have been to Big Cypress National Park several times over the years!

Luis Novas

Beautiful landscape

Omar Lopez

Many mosquitoes

Ally Smith

Great rangers! We loved the swamp walk. Such a cool unique place.

Harry Jassi

Very beautiful.

Michael Gewaltig

See you!

Roy Lee

Good alligator viewing but mosquitoes are terrible.

Karina Zelaya

Expect a little more of fun and see more animals.

robert swilley

Awesome nature trails. Watch out for the gators!

lonnie cross

The swamps are one of my favorite environments.

Paul Hibberd

Everglades is a must visit if you are in florida

ODLANIER ESOJ VILLAVICENCIO ARCAY

The information center awesome costumer service

Novaricambi milano

Cute

Fabrizio Valto

Nice

Ray Disot

Good

Juana Ronque

Cute

Maykel1980 Montse

good

Demitri Bautista

Sige

William Creten

This is were I work on I 75 alligator alley

Wil Frankenberry

Awesome! Airboat ride was an absolute joy!

Nicole Lessacher

Just drove over the bridge...but awesome!

Kale Bradley

Keep it protected forever this is a gem!

Alive Gaming21

Took a field trup there and its goregece

Nick is All

Great place to see the nature of florida

Keith Maher

Just drove through Alligator Alley.

John Livaditis

Be aware of mosquitoes in the summer!

Leslie Hunter

Always something different to see.

Robert Mccann

If traveling by, be sure to stop.

Ken Horkavy

A m a z I n g if you enjoy nature

Michael Sun

Great place to see the everglades

JG DeBiasio

Great location and interesting

Jenny Lynn Lang

Lots of nature. Relaxing trip

Josh Greer

Mu favorite place in the world

walle grant

This is a great place to chill

Paul Hale

Nice place to stop and visit

Philip B

Great view of the night sky!

A Private User

I love going its beautiful

MASUDUR SIDDIQUEE

the forest is very dense

Janos Zsoter

Nice place, nice ride.

Hailey Luedtke

the best place ever!!!

David Wells

The great outdoors!

Richard Avenoso

Nice place to visit

Teresa Paglino

Amazingly beautiful

Awesome night view

Eugene Mccoy

Nice place to see

Juan Almeida

Very nice place

Lazaro Ivan Gonzalez

Beautiful Nature

Victor Hernandez979

Alot of wildlife

Roy Hewitt

Gators airboats

Don Copeland

Pure outdoors.

pete colaninni

Love the swamp

Richard Bucker

Great trails.

Tylerswag 89

Good Fantastic

Stian Johansen

Great place.

Maribel Rivero Socarras

Amazing park!

Bill Wilson

Just awesome

Joby Lee

Great view

wolfgang towing

Nice place

Monte Cristo

Great place

Prabhu Baskar

Nice place

cherie mckeon

Beautiful

Sheri Brewer

Nice area

John Hendrichs

Buetiful

Iouri Dovnarovich

Peacefull

Ricardo Alvarez Velez

Amazing!

Dwight Casanas

Awesome

John Dotson

Awesome

Mohamed Izaldin

Amazing

Boštjan Polak

nice.

Henderson Holligan

Kool

Neil Gawthorpe

Good

Chhat C. Sopanha

Nice

Big Cypress National Preserve

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 103

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